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Cod is one of my favorite types of fish to work with, along with swai fish and tilapia.
It has a mild, delicate flavor that pairs well with various seasonings and sauces. In this recipe, I’m only using olive oil, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper to bring out the natural flavor of the cod.
Aside from baked salmon, this oven baked cod is one of the easiest fish recipes you can make in under 20 minutes. It doesn’t need a lot of prep work, so it’s ideal for those days when you’re short on time or energy to cook.
Looking for a Japanese twist on this baked cod recipe? Try one of my easy cod recipes, Miso Black Cod.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple yet flavorful. Less is more in this recipe! You only need four ingredients to cook this tender, flaky, and tasty baked cod in the oven.
- Quick and easy. Prep time takes as little as 5 minutes, and the fish is ready to serve in just 10 minutes. It’s great for busy weeknights when you want a quick yet satisfying meal, especially after a long day at work.
- Healthy and nutritious. Cod is a lean protein source that is low in calories and high in essential nutrients. Always a nice option for a healthy and balanced meal!
Ingredients
- Cod – use fresh cod fillets for the best texture and flavor. If you can only find frozen, make sure to thaw them completely before baking.
- Olive oil – coats the fish to help retain moisture while baking. It also imparts a subtle earthy flavor to the dish.
- Lemon juice – freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a hint of acidity that brightens up the flavor of the fish.
- Cayenne pepper – adds a little kick of heat. You may use smoked paprika if you do not have cayenne pepper.
How to Bake Cod
Baking cod is a simple and foolproof way to achieve perfectly cooked fish every time. The baking process seals in the moisture and creates a firm yet flaky texture that makes it enjoyable to eat.
If using frozen fish fillets, thaw them completely before baking. Do not use frozen fish straight out of the freezer as the texture will be dry, tough, and rubbery.
After thawing, I always pat dry the fillets with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This simple step ensures that there will be no cloudy “fish water” seeping out of the fish while baking.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (207°C).
- Arrange the cod fillets in a baking tray. Drizzle olive oil onto the fish, followed by lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper.
Pro tip: I recommend using a glass baking tray as it retains heat better and helps food cook evenly. Cover the baking tray with a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper before baking to keep the fish moist, tender, and juicy.
- Bake the cod in the oven for 10 – 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
How Long to Cook Cod in the Oven
The exact cooking time for baked cod depends on the thickness of the fillets. Generally, it takes about 10 to 12 minutes to cook a regular fillet at 400°F or 205°C. If you have thicker cod loin, extend the baking time by 2 to 3 minutes.
The fish is perfectly cooked when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. It should be plump and fleshy without any cracks on the surface.
DO NOT overbake the fish fillets, or they will turn rubbery and dry. If your cod fish breaks apart with a crack after baking, it means you have overcooked it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is baked cod healthy?
Yes, baked cod is a healthy dish as cod is very low in fat and high in lean protein. It contains vitamins and minerals such as B12, B6, and B3 (niacin). Compared to other types of fish, it contains low levels of mercury.
Can I use frozen cod fillets?
Absolutely! Although fresh is always preferred, frozen cod fillets work just as well in this recipe. A good choice would be the Frozen Kirkland Signature Atlantic Wild Caught Cod Loins (2 lbs bag) from Costco.
What temp is cod baked at?
The perfect cooking temp for cod fish is 400°F or 205°C for about 10 to 15 minutes. However, the exact temp depends on the thickness of the fillets. Since it is a delicate fish, cooking cod in the oven at a high temperature for a short amount of time ensures that it stays tender and moist.
How to cook cod so it’s not dry?
Before baking, rub the cod fillets with a good amount of extra virgin olive oil. Let them sit for 5 minutes to prevent them from drying out in the oven. If you’re in a rush, drizzle olive oil generously over the fish. Another trick is to cover the baking tray with a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper to keep the steam inside. Adding a bit of lemon juice or even white wine before baking can also add a lot of moisture and flavor.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe for baked cod is only 286 calories per serving.
What to Serve with Baked Cod
Serve these delicious lemon butter cod fillets with side dishes such as boiled potatoes, roasted vegetables, or fresh salad. For a complete and healthy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:
I hope you love this post as much as I do. Share your photo in the Comments section below if you try this recipe. I cannot wait to see your creations. You may also try my Honey Garlic Salmon, Garlic Butter Fish, and Lemon Parmesan Tilapia next!
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Baked Cod (The Best Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. (500g) cod fillets or cod loins, rinsed and pat dry
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (207°C).
- Arrange the cod fillets in a baking tray. Drizzle olive oil onto the fish, followed by lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Bake the cod in the oven for 10 - 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cod. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- If using frozen fish fillets, thaw them completely before baking. Pat dry the fillets with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- You may use skin-on cod fish, they work the same.
- Use a glass baking tray as it retains heat better and helps food cook evenly.
- Cover the baking tray with a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper before baking.
- Watch the cooking video for a step-by-step guide.
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
I’m not a fan of cod; but I plan to try this lemon cod!
Awesome you will love it.
Love this fast, easy and delicious recipe. I added a few minced garlic cloves. My husband said it was best fish he ever ate ; )
Hi Loretta, thanks so much for trying my baked cod recipe. Yes, I agree, it’s a delicious baked cod.
This is a simple but really delicious recipe. No fuss, and went down a treat. I added some paprika as well as the cayenne and it worked well :)
Hi Hannah, yes, this baked cod is so good and I love your paprika addition. :)
Easy, delicious. Thank you!
Thanks Nancy for trying this baked cod.
This was good. It’s been a while since I’ve made fish.other than Salmon. All 36 years of my marriage I used paprika instead of cayenne. Whoops! I put too much cayenne. Not only that but I forgot to tell my husband! He was a little shocked! My son and I loved it. I made your simple spaghetti with it! Yum! Thank You for helping me cook slightly different than I have all of these years. This recipe is also delicious when you sauté sliced almonds in the olive oil with a little butter and salt and pepper. I have been making many of your recipes!
Hi Kaye, thanks for trying out my recipes and changes things up. I love cayenne pepper, paprika has no kick for me. But use cayenne just a little bit like light dashes. Thanks again for your support. :)
Love baked cod. Do try it with a pesto topping. Even more delicious
Yummy, I will have to try it. :)
Got Cod in the freezer and will try it and my SERVICE DOGGIE loves fish (by the way cooked right), yes she can have an attitude about her home cooked food, just “SPOILED THAT’S ALL”.
This baked cod is very good!
I made this tonight and it was great. Made oven roasted vegetables to go with the fish. Quick, easy and very little prep or clean up.
Hi Patty, thanks for trying baked cod, I know, so easy and delicious. You should try it with the boiled potatoes with parsley and check out other recipes on my site: https://rasamalaysia.com/boiled-potatoes/
hi miss bee i will try the bake fish next time i catch some fish
This baked cod is just what I need for my meal plan next 2 weeks! Need to get in my summer bod for all the beach and pool parties coming up.
Lol, true, this baked cod will definitely help!
I love cod fish, Non fishy I can’t stand smelly fish. Will try this recipe.
That’s great. Let me know how it goes.
Good, but 10 to 12 mins at 400 is not even close to enough! Maybe for paper thin cuts. Like I said, it turned out great, but I had average, maybe 1/2 in thick cuts, and they were raw and cool in the middle after 12 min. Needed 10 additional min. To be done.
Hi Mike, mine cooked through in 10-12 minutes, and the picture shows that it’s a thicker cut. If yours not cooked, just cook longer but one mistake of baking is that people always over bake and end up with rubbery and dry fish.